Synopses & Reviews

Publisher Comments

As Dr. Mark Goulston tells his patients who suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), "The fact that you’re still afraid doesn’t mean you’re in any danger. It just takes the will and the way for your heart and soul to accept what the logical part of your mind already knows." In Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies, Dr. Goulston helps you find the will and shows you the way.

A traumatic event can turn your world upside down, but there is a path out of PTSD. This reassuring guide presents the latest on effective treatments that help you combat fear, stop stress in its tracks, and bring joy back into your life. You'll learn how to:

Identify PTSD symptoms and get a diagnosis

Understand PTSD and the nature of trauma

Develop a PTSD treatment plan

Choose the ideal therapist for you

Decide whether cognitive behavior therapy is right for you

Weight the pros and cons of PTSD medications

Cope with flashbacks, nightmares, and disruptive thoughts

Maximize your healing

Manage your recovery, both during and after treatment

Help a partner, child or other loved one triumph over PTSD

Know when you're getting better

Get your life back on track

Whether you're a trauma survivor with PTSD or the caregiver of a PTSD sufferer, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder For Dummies, gives you the tools you need to win the battle against this disabling condition.

Synopsis

A plain-English resource for people suffering from the aftereffects of a traumatic experience

An estimated five percent of Americans over 13 million people suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) at any given time, and approximately eight percent will develop it at some time in their lives. Written for PTSD sufferers and their loved ones, this practical guide gives people the lowdown on symptoms, details today s various treatment options, offers practical coping strategies for day-to-day life, and even shows how to help children with PTSD. For the 12 to 20 percent of returning combat veterans who suffer from PTSD, the book offers real-world strategies for dealing with flashbacks, nightmares, and disruptive thoughts.

Sam Kedem, MS (New York, NY), has a masters degree in clinical psychology and is a member of the American Academy of Experts in Traumatic Stress. He is currently a mental health therapist for the World Trade Center Permanency Project, where he works with people affected by 9/11. Nikki Moustaki (New York, NY) is a is an award-winning writer and veteran Dummies author.

Synopsis

A traumatic event can turn your world upside down — but just because you're still afraid doesn't mean you're still in danger. There is a path out ofPTSD, and this reassuring guide presents the latest on effective treatments that help to combat fear, stop stress in its tracks, and bring joy back to life.

Identify PTSD symptoms and get a diagnosis

Choose the ideal therapist for you

Weigh the pros and cons of medications

Maximize your healing

Help a partner, child, or other loved one triumph over PTSD

About the Author

Mark Goulston, MD, an expert on PTSD, suicide prevention, and violence intervention, maintains a private clinical practice. He has taught or lectured at UCLA, USC, and Fortune 500 companies and has trained FBI and police hostage negotiators.

Table of Contents

Introduction.

Part I: The Basics of PTSD.

Chapter 1. The Invisible Epidemic of PTSD.

Chapter 2. Aftershock: When the Past Won't Stay in the Past.

Chapter 3. Spotting the Clues: Signs and Symptoms of PTSD.

Chapter 4. First Response: Preventive Treatments for PTSD.

Part II: Getting a Diagnosis and Drafting a Plan.

Chapter 5. Getting Answers: Finding Out Whether You Have PTSD.

Chapter 6. Building Your Treatment Team.

Chapter 7. Setting the Stage for Recovery: The First Steps Toward Healing.

Part III: Choosing the Right Treatment Approach.

Chapter 8. Putting PTSD in Its Place with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

Chapter 9. The Role of Medication in Treating PTSD.

Chapter 10. Additional Paths to Wellness: Drawing on the Power of Mind and Body.